Amazon, Flipkart roll out initiatives to keep staff enthused on sale days

Amazon has set up dedicated rooms where teams meet and discuss the event. The atmosphere dovetails well into their motto of ‘work hard, have fun, make history'.Prachi Verma | ET Bureau | October 03, 2017, 08:02 IST

NEW DELHI: India’s two largest ecommerce companies — Amazon and Flipkart — that are getting ready for the next round of mega sales this month — have rolled out a series of employee initiatives. Amazon’s next Great Indian Sale starts from October 4 and will last for 5 days.

The company has set up multiple war rooms across various businesses functions and categories in addition to its central event war room. “All war rooms will go active from midnight of October 4 as we ready for our Prime-only sale hours,” said an Amazon spokesperson.

During the five days of the event, employees often work long hours. “We have also blocked a few rooms in our neighbourhood apartment complex which team members can use as sleeping quarters during the event days,” said the spokesperson. Stress is not uncommon during the sale season when work hours are overstretched. In order to combat stress, Flipkart has organised yoga sessions at the desk where trainers come and teach postures.

Flipkart has placed a doctor on call and a 24X7 ambulance service to ensure safety of employees during the sale season. The company has also organised midnight floor games, arcade games and cafeteria jam sessions. “We have music sessions for employees to take a break from the highpressure environment and the thrill and excitement at the office is unparalleled,” said Flipkart spokesperson in an emailed response.

Amazon has set up dedicated rooms where teams meet and discuss the event. “The atmosphere dovetails well into our motto of ‘work hard, have fun, make history’,” said the Amazon spokesperson.

These rooms have dedicated food counters with sandwiches, juices and tea and coffee. Breakfast, lunch and dinner will also be served to Amazon employees. A few Amazon employees have also volunteered to host game shows and small music performances on each of its floors.

“It’s a busy time for employees at Flipkart, India’s ecommerce leader, with the festive season and the recently concluded annual flagship event — The Big Billion Days,” said Flipkart spokesperson. Some other fun-filled activities at Amazon during the next sale period include face painting competitions, hosting Tambola, ‘Make the Box-Man’ competition — a competition where participants make BoxMan using Amazon boxes.

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